Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-12-21
LIFE IN NIENICO.
The Lanu OF Hospitaiity----An Even
ing Meal.

No persuasion could indnce our kind
host of del Norte TO give up his project
of accompanying US along our road as
far as his sisters ranch, which was but
a little distance out of our main road,
and finally we were Obliged to accept
his courtesy courtesy which Is never
| lacking among the best class of Mexl-
cans-and he made ready for his trip
by putting on a pair of boots which re-
qulred the most heroic endeavor to pull
on They were so tight that he could
scarcely walk, and 1t was fortunate
that he had horse. All the Mexican
men wear their boots SO tight that it
must be torture, but they are very
proud OF their small feet. Just before
we were ready TO start the gentle wife
came out with magnificent new
scrape, which she had woven herself,
for his fiesta, as she said modestly: but
| seeing that he was going to visit his
sister she would anticipate his BIRTH
day and give it TO him now to wear.
He was so pleased that his eyes spark
led like diamonds as he laid his arm
around her plump shoulders and
pressed his cheek to hers. And well
they might both be proud, for finer
piece of work of the kind L never saw.
A scrape is a wrap made in the form of
blanket with slit exactly in the mid
| die for the h ad to go:through. The
body of it was pure white with bril-
liant well matched colors arranged in
| very pretty, intricate pattern as ber-
der, the whole woven so firmly as to be
! absolutely waterproof.
1t had taken this patient, loving
woman whole year to make il. l
could not help drawing comparisons
with our own wives, who go TO stores
End buy presents for their husbands
aud order the bills sent TO them. The
little woman turned red, but for once
held her tongue, which surprised me a
little, until L happened to remember
last Christmas.
We left the hospiteble hacienda and
began our rough ride again, which was
enliVened by the singing OF the driver,
who seemed to have taken a good deal
OF enthusiasm or something else just be-
fore We left, and at noon We persuaded
him to halt, when we Immediately
| went to sleep, and in spite till O'Clock.
In the meantime the little woman and
myself amused ourselves and the don
by taking his picture, as we'll as
sketches of the scenery, which had be-
gun to grow interesting, the effect of
most wonderfully beautiful.
Toward sunset We passed ruined
church, which stood all alone by the
wayside, with a little graveyard at the
back of it. 1t was grown over with
rank vegetation. q great vine branch
ing in every direction over and among
the falling walls, laden with beautiful
yellow flowers like golden chalices.
Among the graves bushes hung full of
scarlet tassels and white spikes OF flow
ers. pure and delicate, each of which
| hold one red drop of liquid at their
base, and from which arises the name,
| sangre de Christie (blood of Chrlst).
This place looked deserted. it IS trIts.
yet was one of the most charming and
picturesque places We had seen.
No one knows who built or who de-
DESTROYED that church. Probably there
has been near here a small town
burned or destroyed by the Indians
whose raids have been constant dan
ger for many years.
Just as darkness was closing around
us and the little women was ready to
cry with fatigue, fear and cold (for 1t
grows cold there as soon as the sun
goes DOWN, the carriage was surroun-
ded by numberless barking ours, which
were welcome, as tney proved we were
near the ranch of Signora Garcia, who
was the widow of an American named
Carol, who had welded his Mexican
bride, and they reared three lovely
children when he was gored to death 10y
one of his own cattle.
In the darkness We could only see
the long, low house, mass of somber
| foliage around and mountains beyond,
when the doors opened and We received
a cordial and noisy welcome, and with
out delay were seated with the family
upon the floor with stools placed liz
front of is holding dishes full of tamal,
which is made of chopped meat. toma-
toes and chile. stewed and then rolled
in tortilIa. L Essides this was dish of
fried beans and a delicious cup of cof-
fee and more tortilla with cheese. The
little woman thoroughly enjoyed her
supper, and afterward tried, but with
little success, to smoke a cigarette,
while l smoked with the men.
AS we retired she said, sleeplly:
| edward, l think l could learn, and
I don't see why the men should have
all the good things of the earth. "